Raon spent the night in the lodgings Denzel prepared for him and headed to the stone stack in front of Haro Mountain.
âMy mother and father wouldnât be buried here.â
The stone stack was made to comfort the victims of the landslide, and his mother and father from the previous life were slain by Derusâs subordinate while trying to escape with him.
Since the cause of their death was obviously not a landslide, they shouldnât be buried under the stone stack.
However, he ended up going there because he couldnât look for them anywhere else.
âHaaâŠâ
Raon sighed to vent his frustration and went to his knees.
âOur archenemy apparently became even more powerful. Reputation, strength, money, and even people⊠Thereâs not even a single aspect I surpass him in yet.â
He delivered his thoughts while thinking about his mother and father, who couldnât even rest in peace from their worries about their young son.
âBut I have no intention of giving up.â
Raon clenched his fist on his knee.
âTen years or twenty years. No, even if it takes my entire life, Iâm going to reveal Derus Robertâs villainy no matter what.â
He wasnât simply saying that to his parents. It was a pledge made to himself, a resolution that he was going to never give upâno matter what hardship awaited him.
âPlease donât leave yet. Just wait a bit longer. Iâm going to bring that fiendâs head here.â
Raon put his hands together. It wasnât just for his parents. He prayed for the repose of everyone buried there who couldnât reveal the real reason for their death because of Derus and stood up afterward.
âŠâŠ
Raon looked to the right. Wrath was quiet for once, his eyes closed.
âWhat are you doing?â
Canât you tell? He is paying respect to the deceased.
Wrath furrowed his brow because Raon was asking the obvious question.
Few people in this world obtain the death they desire, but they ended up with the worst end. They died in a completely unexpected way.
He looked down at the stone stack bitterly.
Differences in race donât matter since they are already dead. The King of Essence is also paying his respect.
Raon smiled faintly while looking at Wrath, who became so quiet.
âThe demon king is prayingâŠâ
He said he was paying respect, but he looked like he was praying. He was showing a new side of himself all the time, like an onion that revealed a new layer over and over.
Why are you smiling? Thatâs unpleasant!
The sourcđČ of this content is frŃeÏebÉłovel.com.
Wrath shook his hand, showing his displeasure over Raonâs smile.
âIs there anything you want to eat?â
O-of course there is! Grilled salmon, grilled scallops, grilled whole pig, grilled dragon!
âAll of it is grilledâŠâ
He wants something chewy because he only got beef jerky and Nadine bread!
He licked his lips, saying that he was missing juicy meat.
But why are you even asking when you arenât going to eat it anyway? Are you trying to make fun of the King of EssenceâŠ
âIâm going to eat them.â
R-really? Then letâs go right nowâŠ
âOnce we return home.â
Raon shook his hand with a smile. There was no time to waste if he wanted to return at the same time as the Light Wind division.
You damn bastards, seriously!!!
âYou shouldâve listened until the end.â
He returned to the village while having a small argument with the extremely irritated Wrath. Denzel was waiting for him.
âSo, you are leaving now.â
âI should return since itâs all over.â
âThank you for your work so far.â
Denzel placed his right hand on his chest and carefully lowered his head.
âThis was one of the most worthwhile missions Iâve done so far. I was honored to work with you, White Sword Dragon.â
His unwavering eyes implied that he was being sincere.
âThe same goes for me.â
Raon smiled faintly and bowed back to him.
âSo, it should be fine to disclose this information about you now.â
âInformation?â
âRaon Zieghart, the Dragon Slayer. The name has only been circulating in Aikar, but itâs going to spread all around the continent now.â
Denzelâs face was slightly flushed in anticipation of his name being spread around the continent.
âSee you later, Dragon Slayer.â
He quietly disappeared after calling him the White Sword Dragon at first, and Dragon Slayer in the end.
The Black Marketâs agents nearby also bowed to him at the same time and disappeared.
Screw the Dragon Slayer! Heâs not even a Dragon Slayer since he didnât even eat a whole dragon, unlike the King of Essence! That name is wasted on you!
Of course, Wrath had to interfere because he couldnât read the mood.
âThat might be true.â
Raon chuckled and was about to leave Capply Village when the village chief walked up to him from the other side.
âDid you come to sightsee around the village?â
The village chief tilted his head, unable to recognize Raonâs different disguise. He had more wrinkles than before, implying that heâd been suffering a lot mentally.
âYes. I dropped by on my way.â
Raon nodded while looking at the village chiefâs exhausted face.
âWhat you are seeing right now isnât what our village usually is like.â
âDid something happen?â
âSome demonic people were apparently experimenting with necromancy while hiding in our village. The heroes said they got rid of them all, so it should be restored soon enough.â
The village chief had called the Black Marketâs agents shameless robbers at first, but he was praising them as heroes now.
âYou will be able to see our villageâs usual appearance if you visit again. Make sure to come back!â
âYes.â
Raon smiled while looking at the wrinkles around the village chiefâs eye.
âIâll definitely be back.â
* * *
Rumble!
The vibrations starting from Glennâs throne were making the entire lordâs manor tremble, not just the audience chamber.
Instead of dust falling from the ceiling, small cracks started to appear on walls and floor.
âMy lord.â frŃewebηovel.cŃłm
Roenn walked up to Glennâs throne and bowed to him.
âMany swordsmen are terrified by the earthquakes nowadays. We are even getting fissures on the ramparts and the ground, so please be patient.â
He sighed while looking at Glennâs leg, which was affecting the entirety of Zieghart.
âAhem!â
Glenn cleared his throat and made his left leg stop.
âI know, I really do, butâŠâ
He bit his lip while sweeping his disheveled hair back.
âWe arenât making any contact at all! We have no news whatsoever since the bit about him successfully slaying Kaibar!â
Glenn twisted his lips, and his leg started to shake once again.
âMaybe I should just go look for him insteadâŠâ
âHe must be resting after slaying the dragon. He should be back soon.â
Glenn stood up and was about to leave, and Roenn hurriedly shook his head.
âIn that case, he should send a message. Sylvia is coming here every day, and I donât have any excuse to refuse her anymore.â
Glenn sighed, showing his fear of facing Sylvia.
âThis is frustrating.â
He shook his head and took out a booklet from his clothes. He opened the book and started to slowly read it, and his face finally started to look calmer.
âHaaâŠâ
Roenn breathed out a sigh of relief upon seeing the book he was holding. Since he was reading Raon's gospel, his rampage should stop for a while.
âBut he really has changed a lot.â
No one would ever imagine that the Destructive King of the North, who was arguably the strongest in the continent, would be calming himself down while reminding himself of what his grandson had said.
To be honest, he looked more like the strongest doting grandfather than the strongest on the continent.
âHmmâŠâ
Roenn lowered his head at Glenn upon noticing the sound coming from outside the lordâs manor.
âThe Light Wind division seems to have returned.â
âHmm.â
Glenn slowly nodded and returned Raonâs gospel to his clothes.
âI should feel better after seeing them. Bring them in.â
âYes.â
Roenn smiled and left the audience chamber.
* * *
The Light Wind division checked their attire while standing in front of the lordâs manor.
âIâm nervous because itâs been such a long time.â
Burren swallowed nervously and fiddled with his sleeves.
âWhy would you be afraid when we did nothing wrong?â
Martha furrowed her brow with her hands placed on her waist, asking what he was so afraid of.
âIâm not afraid. Iâm just nervous.â
âNervous? Look at her.â
She pointed at Runaan, who was standing blankly next to her.
âYou should be thoughtless like her sometimes.â
âHmmâŠâ
Runaan was staring blankly at the sky. She really looked like she wasnât thinking at all.
âBut sheâs going too far. Shake the dust off at least instead of standing still like that.â
Burren walked up to Runaan and brushed the dust and snow from her shoulder.
âI want ice cream,â Runaan quietly sighed.
âI knew you were going to say that.â
âWith everyone here and Raon.â
âHmmâŠâ
Martha closed her mouth. She was also reminded about Raon and bit her lip slightly.
âSeriously, division leader. Where is he?â
Burren walked up to Rimmer and frowned.
âHmm? I donât know either,â Rimmer said as he shrugged his shoulders.
âWhat?â
âBut you said you knew!â
âYou told us he is doing fine!â
Burren, Martha, and Runaan rushed at Rimmer and held him by his collar at the same time.
âI did that to reassure you. He should be fine. Itâs just like the saying, âNo news is good newsâ.â
Rimmer scratched the back of his head and smiled cheerfully. He was taking Raonâs well-being so lightly, as if heâd been with him all along and only got separated recently.
âHow could you do that?!â
âDie!â
âAre we really serving this as our division leader?â
The other Light Wind swordsmen also ran up to him and grabbed Rimmerâs hair and clothes to start shaking them.
âW-wait! Donât be like thisâŠâ
Rimmer started to become afraid of them and hurriedly shook his hand just as Roenn walked out of the lordâs manor.
âItâs been a while, everyone.â
Alongside his gentle laughter, he lowered his head at the Light Wind division.
âThe head of house is waiting. Please enter, everyone.â
âHaaâŠâ
Rimmer escaped to Roennâs side without missing the opportunity when everyone was distracted.
âLetâs go! We canât make the head of house wait!â
âWe arenât done yet.â
âLetâs continue after the audience.â
Burren and Martha ground their teeth while raising their fists.
âYou are so dead.â
Runaan also pouted while looking at Rimmer.
Rimmer got right next to Roenn without even fixing his disheveled attire and hair.
âBy the way, I noticed some fissures on the ramparts and buildings. Was there an earthquake or something?â
âHuhuhu.â
Roenn guided Rimmer and the Light Wind division to the audience chamber with his usual laughter instead of answering his question, then opened the door for them.
Wham!
The noble metallic gate separated and the audience chamber could be seen. Golden sunlight shone upon the pillars, surging like spears of a giant, and created a majestic and mysterious sight.
However, the most noticeable part of the room was Glenn, who was sitting at the center. His eyes, even redder than the sun, were emanating a powerful spirit capable of crushing the entire world.
âHeâs acting cool once again,â Rimmer sighed quietly and gestured with his chin to the Light Wind division behind him. âLetâs go.â
âHmmâŠâ
âHaaâŠâ
Unlike him, the Light Wind division entered the room while feeling so pressured that their heavy limbs felt like they werenât their own anymore.
âGreetings, my lord!â
âGreetings, my lord!â
Following Rimmerâs greeting, the Light Wind division went on their knees and lowered their heads.
âStand up, everyone.â
As Glenn gestured with his hand, Rimmer and the Light Wind division raised their heads and straightened their backs. Glenn was looking at Burren, who was standing right behind Rimmer.
âBurren.â
âYes!â
Burrenâs voice was jumping because he didnât expect to be called.
âIs your left eye okay?â
âI-I had some headaches at first because my vision improved too much, but Iâve gotten used to it now.â
âI donât feel any evil from it, but we donât know where it came from. You might find yourself in danger if you completely trust that eye, so you shall always consider all possibilities and make the best decision for the situation.â
âIâll keep that in mind!â
Burren took Glennâs advice to his heart and raised his chin.
âRunaan.â
Glennâs gaze was directed at Runaan, who was standing on Burrenâs right side.
âDo you feel any pain from the injury in your abdomen and thigh?â
âIâm fine now,â Runaan replied casually and nodded, just like when she was dealing with anyone else.
âYou donât need to sacrifice yourself in order to protect others. You should think deeply about what you can doâ
âYes.â
Her short response almost felt like she was taking him lightly, but her clear eyes implied that she was thinking about Glennâs advice.
âMartha.â
Glenn lowered his eyes and called Marthaâs name.
âYou seemed to be concerned about the fact that you couldnât help your companions.â
âHmmâŠâ
Martha bit her lip after looking at Burren and Runaan one after the other.
âI believe I should bear the burden for the rest of my life since my companions couldâve died while protecting me.â
âThat would be disrespectful towards your companions.â
âAhâŠâ
âWhat you need to do in the future is to act like always and put your companions ahead of yourself when danger arrives, just like they did for you. Companions are not indebted to one another.â
ââŠUnderstood.â
She nodded, saying that she would protect everyone at the cost of her life.
âDorian.â
âYes!â
Dorian trembled intensely as he nodded upon being called after the other three.
âRimmerâs report stated that you are the biggest coward in the Light Wind division.â
âTh-thatâs true.â
Dorian lowered his eyes while admitting that he was a coward.
âNo coward in the world puts others before themselves. If you risked your life for the sake of your companions, you arenât a coward.â
Glenn respectfully lowered his chin while looking at Dorian.
âYouâve grown, Dorian Sephia.â
âAh, ermâŠâ
Dorian was unable to respond. He hung his head with trembling shoulders.
Glenn continued to compliment and advise every single person from the Light Wind division afterward.
âMark Goetten.â
âYes.â
Mark Goetten was the last one to be nominated. He stepped forward and lowered his head.
âThis world has always been unfair. The wall of martial arts is even thicker than a mountain for some people while being thinner than a piece of paper for others. If you are too concerned about others, you will miss the precious thing inside you. You should solely focus on yourself instead of others in the future and keep progressing.â
âIâll keep that in mind.â
Mark Goetten placed his hand on his chest and nodded.
âErmâŠâ
Rimmer grinned and pointed at himself with his finger.
âIs there anything for me?â
âAbout youâŠâ
Glenn frowned intensely just as a knock could be heard from the door.
âEnter.â
âWe have a guest who visited to see you, my lord. What should I do?â
âIâm talking to the Light Wind division right now, so call on them later.â
âUnderstood. Then what about having some tea with meâŠ?â
Roenn smiled cheerfully, glad about his response, and was about to close his door.
âHmm?â
Glenn furrowed his brow while looking at Roennâs behavior.
âTea?â
Roenn looked like a kind person, but it was rare for him to have tea with others.
âWait a moment, who is the visitor?â
âHmmâŠâ
Roenn poked his head back out and lowered his eyebrows.
âThe Light Wind vice division leader has returned.â
âL-let him in! Tell him to enter right now!â
âRaon?â
âIs Raon here?â
Glenn stuttered for the first time and hurriedly waved his hand. Rimmer and the Light Wind division were also surprised and turned back.
âWhat a shame.â
Roenn smiled and opened the audience chamberâs door.
Rumble!
A man wearing a black robe was standing next to Roenn.
He took off the robe, and blond hair even brighter than the sunlight engulfing the audience chamber fluttered in the air, a nose as straight as a blade revealed as he did.
A smile formed gently around his mouth in contrast to his ragged uniform, making it impossible to take oneâs eyes off him.
Step.
Raon met the Light Wind divisionâs eyes one after the other as they looked at him and walked forward steadily. He stood behind Rimmer and knelt before Glenn.
âGreetings, myâŠâ
âStop it!â
Glenn shook his hand, telling him that the formality was unnecessary.
âWhat have you even been doing to come back so late?!â
His reddened face made it look like he was angry.
âI was dropped at a corner of the Owen Kingdom when the barrier was destroyed, and my aunt rescued me. We went out to the ocean while I was unconsciousâŠâ
âWhat?â
Glennâs lips turned blueâas if they were frozen.
âWh-what did you say just now?!â
âWhat? I said that we went out to the ocean.â
Raon blinked while looking at Glenn.
âBefore that part!â
âThe barrier was destroyed, and I was dropped at a corner of the Owen Kingdomââ
âAfter that part!â
âMy aunt rescuedâŠâ
âAuntâŠâ
Glennâs hand trembled as he held onto the throne. The audience chamber started to trembleâno, the entire lordâs manor was shaking.
âDid you just say aunt???â